That is the view of Scottish Borders Council leader David Parker who has claimed the managers of community centres – which are set to be included in the move – still have “unanswered questions” about the radical switch.

His warning came as the council considered an update from cultural services manager Ian Brown who reported that a draft business case for the transfer would be presented to councillors in October with a view to full implementation a year later.

The public has until July 31 to give its feedback on the proposals which were approved in principle in February.

Councillors were told then that it currently costs £4.8m to run cultural services and that savings of £400,000 a year could be achieved if a trust, absolved of paying full business rates, was set up.

Mr Brown reported at the time that, without the savings, one large town hall, one main library, one museum and one community centre would be forced to close.

Libraries and information serves are currently the most expensive to operate with 54 staff and a yearly spend of £1.46 million, followed by museums and galleries with 50 staff and an annual budget of £1 million.

Community centres cost £618,000 a year, while public halls, with 35 mainly part-time keepers, account for £476,000.

Mr Brown reported that the “scope” of the transfer – which buildings and services should be included – had not changed since the February meeting.

He confirmed that the community centres at Burnfoot (Hawick), Philiphaugh (Selkirk), Colsdstream and St Ronan’s (Innerleithen), which were all attached to primary schools, would not transfer. Also currently excluded were Chirnside Community Centre in Berwickshire and Hawick Youth Centre which were in the process of being transferred to their host communities.

Mr Brown said that, notwithstanding the current period of public consultation, his officers had already met with the management committees of nine of the 10 community centres earmarked for transfer, including Focus and Langlee in Galashiels, Tweedbank, the Argus in Selkirk and the Newtown Community Wing.

“There were queries and concerns about the transfer...most of which were addressed at the meetings,” reported Mr Brown. “There was no outright opposition to the proposal...on this basis we feel there is no pressure to change the scope of the trust.” But Councillor Parker remains sceptical.

“The feedback I am getting is that the concerns of the managers of these community centres, which provide a range of important social activities such as adult literacy classes, have not yet been addressed and their questions remain unanswered,” said Mr Parker.

“Like me, they are worried that services could be lost in favour of income-generating activities by a trust which has a more commercial focus than this council.

“I am not convinced all is well and we must take proper time to take these issues on board. I think we need more time and if the business case is not presented in October then so be it. This is certainly something that should not be rushed.” Councillor George Turnbull (Con, Hawick and Hermitage) said he had attended a meeting of Hawick Archaeological Society which was keen that the governance of any new trust should be split and devolved to reflect the region’s five area forums.

His fellow Hawick councillor David Paterson (Ind) said there were fears in the town that, under a commercially-focused trust, Hawick’s artifacts could be transferred out of the town to other parts of the region.

But Councillor Vicky Davidson (Lib Dem, Selkirkshire), executive member for cultural services, claimed this was a “complete red herring”, adding that the governance of the trust would be detailed in the draft business case which she saw no reason to delay beyond October.

However, other issues which must still be addressed include how the trust will pay for support services, such as human resources, IT and property management. These are currently provided by the council at an annual cost of around £500,000.

The business case will also embrace what Mr Brown described in February as “the significant repairs and maintenance deficit in facilities” and the possibility of the trust having to access the council’s capital planning process.

Despite Mr Parker’s misgivings, councillors agreed that community centres should remain in the scope of the transfer and sanctioned the setting up of a working group after hearing from Mr Brown that there is “value in elected members being more directly involved”.

Councillors on that group are Ron Smith (Lib Dem), Iain Gillespie (Borders Party), Joan Campbell (SNP), Sandy Aitchison (Borders Party), Simon Mountford (Con) and Ms Davidson.

Readers wishing to have their say on the proposed transfer before July 31 can complete an online consultation form at www.scotborders.gov.uk/culturetrust. They can also write to the Cultural Services Manager, Scottish Borders Council, Newtown St Boswells TD6 0SA.